All about accepting the challenge

GUANGZHOU, Guangdong province - Her team failed to win a single set during the tournament, but for South African volleyball player Mokgadi Maphaba the inaugural BRICS Games was a resounding personal and collective triumph.

"It was a great challenge ... the first time that we have been abroad to play," said Maphaba.

"We feel so delighted to play against those great teams like China, Brazil and Russia," added the 19-year-old student, whose inexperienced squad also lost to India in the week-long Under-20 round-robin competition.